Brooks Falls/Camp- Katmai Bears- Alaska- Coastal Brown Bear Photography-So many Bears!!!

We started preparing for our trip 18 months prior after winning the lottery to stay at Brooks Lodge. At this time, it costs $1125.00 a night and we stayed 3 nights in mid July. It's Alaska so be prepared with a flexible schedule and extra funds. We flew to Anchorage and then to King Salmon. Took a water taxi from King Salmon to Brooks Camp. I don't recommend the water taxi. Take a float plane. Strict rules when you arrive, you must attend bear school. Bear school is a good thing!!! Only meals are through the lodge and it's extremely expensive. You can bring and cook your own food only in designated areas behind hot wire fencing. If you are not in a cabin and you are camping, there are places to store gear and food. Weather can change quickly, flights can cancel so be prepared. The cabins are tight for 4 people with bare basics, there are outlets in them but, if you need to charge lots of things, bring a power strip and a small reading light. No WIFI!
While we were there, the bears were everywhere! We could just take a few steps from our cabin and be on the beach where there were always bears going by. Bears near the lodge and cabins too. Look left and right when going out and about, and always check behind you. We rented waders and had a permit to enter the river. The views from the platforms and walkways are fabulous. Bears have the right of way on the open trails so move on back and wait. The elevated walkways are gated with nice views. Day trippers are plentiful at the platforms so, if you can go the platforms early and later in the day, it's less crowded.
I took a long 180 to 600mm lens and a midrange lens also. Take plenty of memory cards, you are going to need them. July is a good month for Salmon at the Falls, just know that they are not jumping 24/7. It is hit and miss. This was an amazing experience and I will never look at bears the same way again. You cannot get this close to bears in the wild anywhere else and not be charged or even attacked. Just keep that in mind and definitely show respect to the bears of Brooks Falls. See my website at www.wendyleaphotography.com Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe to our channel!!
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#brooksfalls #brookscamp #coastalbrownbears #alaska


Nikon Z8
Nikon Z7
Nikkor 180-600mm lens
Nikkor 24-120mm lens
GoPro Hero12

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